Feeler mechanism for looms



Deco 9, 1924. 1,518,230

E. S. STIMPSON FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS 38 E /Nl/E/VTOR ATTORNEY15185230 E. S. STIMPSON FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed Feb. l. 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 2 414,2 @W j l /NVE/VTOR Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD S. STIMPSON, OF I-IOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSG'NOR TO DRAPERCOR- PORATION, OF HOIPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION 0F MAINE.

FEELER iviEcHnNrsM non Looivrs.

Application filed February 1, 192e.

To ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD S. STIMPsoN, a. citizen of the United States,residing at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms forLooms, of which the following description, in. connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on thedrawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms whereby theoperation of the loom is changed when the filling in the shuttle becomessubstantially exhausted.

It is now the common practice to provide feeler mechanisms for loomswhich shall be effective to replenish the filling when that in theshuttle becomes substantially exhausted, and in some instances of suchfeeler mechanisms the feeler itself has been held in a frontwardretracted position for periods of time and then released to perform itsfeeling function, and the feeling mechanism has been so arranged thatthe release of the feeler might take place at any stage in the cycle ofloom operation. Consequently, it happens at times that the feeler willbe released when the lay is moving frontwardly, o1' when the lay isnearly in front position, with the result that the feeler impact withthe filling has not only had ank injurious effect upon the fillingitself but such impact is liable to cause the feeler to call for achange of filling by premature movement.

Feeler mechanisms of the general type referred to may be known asintermittent feeler mechanisms and they are especially advantageous inconnection with weaving with certain kinds of filling-such, forinstance, as fine yarn, silk, and the like. The feelers of suchmechanisms are held in a frontward retracted position for periods ofinactivity and are released from time to time for periods of activity,and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide means forinsuring the release of the feeler to its periods of activity when thelay is back or moving towards back position, so that the feeler may moveto full feeling position before engaging the filling.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists in anintermittent feeler mechanism for looms wherein the feeler is releasedto its periods of activity as the lay goes back, the effect being thatSerial No. 689,871.

the feeler will commence its periods of activity to detect the conditionof the filling.' in the shuttle in its rearward filling feelingposition.Y

in accordance with the present invention, the means for holding thefeeler in its retracted position. is associated with mechanism actingthrough said means to free the `feeler as the lay goes back orretreatsfrom front position.

rlhe various features of the invention and new combination of parts willbest be made clear from the following description and theaccompanyingdrawings of one good form thereof, it being understood thatthe invention is in its true scope as defined by the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one side of a loom. provided with thepresent invention, some of the parts being omitted for clearness ofillustration;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation partly in section of the ratchetand pawl mechanism actuated from the lay rock shaft; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 with the parts in. anotherposition.

rlhe loom frame l has mounted at the front portion thereof brackets 2,one at each side of the loom, between which extends a transverse or rockshaft 3, extending up from which is an arm l connected with an actuatingmember 5 at 6. Pivotally mounted on the actuating member 5 at 7 is thefinger S which is adapted to be engaged by an operating member 9 andmoved frontwardly thereby when the filling is to be changed or theoperative condition of the loom is to be altered. The operating member 9may be formed as part of or connected to the cam follower.

Mounted on the bracket 10 extending from the` loom frame is a bell cranklever l1 one arm of which underlies the finger l2 connected to the part8 and the other arm of which is connected to a transmitter 13, theconstruction` .being such that on filling exhaustion indicating movementof the feeler, the operatingmember will act through the train ofmechanism described to initiate filling replenishment.

The filling replenishing mechanism is not herein shown and describedIbecause it is new well known and the details thereof form no part ofthe present invention.

Adjustably mounted on the bracket or arm 1st extending from the shipperstand 15 is the teeler stand 16 which may be adjus'tably secured inplace by the bolt 17, as usual. ln the ,present instance the inventionis shown as associated with a feeler of the inclined type, that is, a-eeler which enters the shuttle in a direction inclined to thelongitudinal axis thereof and is mounted for displacement laterally ofthe shuttle by the frontward pressure, and while the present invention.lends itself with advantage to this type oft teeler mechanism, it is toAbe understood that the invention is not restricted thereto, but may beadvantageously employed in connection with Lt'eeler mechanisms of othertypes.

The teeler 18, as indicated in Fig. l. passes through the slide 19 whichis itselt connected to the transmitter 13, and the irontvvardlyextending` stem 2O of the feeler passes through swivel block 21. Aspring); 22 is mounted on the. stem 2O and interposed between the block21 and the bridge or member 23 secured to the eeler, 'the tendency ofthe spring," being to normally move the feeler into rearward feelingposition. The parts so tar described may be substantially the same asthe corresponding parts in the patent to Edward S. Stimpson. No.1,309,226, July S, 1919.

The lay 24e i ay be of usual construction and has the shuttle box 25,the front wall of which is slotted at 26 for the entrance ol tli-.efeeler 1S. The shuttle 27 in which is mounted the filling' carrier hasits front wall slotted as at 28, as usual in this class of looms, theconstruction being such that as the lay moves frontwardly on a detectimlbeat the -teeler may enter the shuttle box and shuttle and detect thecondition of the lling in the shuttle.

In accordance with the present invention the feeler is to beiy held inav t'rontward or inope ative position for periods olf' time and is to bereleased at intervals to perform its feeling` function. `The relativelengths ot the periods oi a-ctivity and inactivity may vary and as shownin the present instance of the invention the YJfeeler is provided with aprojection 29 which is moved rontm'ardliY with the `feeler when thelatter is moved frontwardly 'by the advancing lling in the. shuttle.Connected to the teeler stand 16 is a bracket 30 to which is pivoted at31 alever 32 constituting the iteeler holding mea-ns.

The rear end portion of the lever 32 is lat` erally extended at 33, suchlateral extension being` adapted to engage the rear surface of theprojection 29 on the feeler when the feelery is moved Jrontwardly on adetectimg` beat with a working supply ot lling in the shuttle. Aspring;` 34 normally tends to move the Jfeeler holding means 32 in itsfeeler holding position but is suiii- -cientl` yieldable to permit therear end o, the 'teeler holdin` means to lift as the pro. jection 29 oi'the leeler moves trontwardljt. The ctmstruction thus ifa-.r describedcou-- stitutes a ,good practical torni of an iulvrmilitent l'eelcrmechanism with which th. pr sent innemion may be associatcul` hue otherdetails of intermittent ifecler mechanisms may be employedadvantag'eousl)- in connection with the present invention, which relatesmore particularly to the :tcclcr ralel j means.

ln accordance with the present intention the :toelcr is to be releasedfrom its lioldiugf means at intervals so timed and arrange." that theleeler release takes place when lh.` lay is going; back or retreatingfrom tron! position so that the teeler may assume il# periods ol"activity in rearward feeling' pu. sition. In carrying out this featureol ilu invention. means are associated with the l;\ rocker shail't totransmit releasing mow it to the leeler holding` means as sii/'h rockershaft and lay move towards the rca' of the loom.

ln the present instance, the loom frame l has secured thereto a bracket35 locacl near the lower portion of the loom traine trom which extends asupport or stud 'l roi' supportingir the ratchet wheel` 'torniimr partot the train of' mechanism for rclcashe ieeler As shown, the ratchetwheel Aounted in a frame 3S, the upward c.\- tendin.; portion ot whichis secured lo tue stud P56 by stud screws 40, as indicalcv in Fin'. 1.The supporting trame 3S is :u formed as to protect as well as supportthe ratchet wheel 37.

The lay rocker lJhat't eil, best indicated in Figs. and il. extends asusual in a trans verse direction between the sida trames ol' the loom,and is supported in suitahlc heurinn's tor rocking' moven'ient. lt isnot deemed necessary herein to fully illustratiaud describe the bearingsVtor the lay rocher shaft l1 since the details 'form no part ol' thepresent invention.

The portion oli the layv roclrcr shalt cxtcndinfr beyond the side tramesof the loom has secured to it a shoe or cuclosiin mem her an oui'zwardextension lil o which may be provided as a hearing: surface `tor thcrocker shoe lei ol the picker click ft. These details, however. may varywithin the scope ot the present invention. Con nected to tir lay recaershall l? is au arm 415. Fins. Q and 2", uhirh moves with the lay rockershaft. shown, the arm elfl' is secured to the lay rocker shal'f. hy astud screw di' which passes thrilugrh thc arm 16 at its lower' portionand into llu sleeve or shoe 42. The slcere or shoe lil may be itsel'lEsecured to the rocher shalt l1 either by the screw 4:7 or an additionalscrew '18 may be employed as indicated in Fig. l, suoli details beingwithin the selective skill of the mechanic.

The upper portion of the rocking` arm 4:6 has extended therefrom a stud4S* on which is pivotally mounted a. pawl 50 having a tooth 51 adaptedto engage a tooth :'32 of the ratchet 37, the construction being` suchthat as the lay rocker shaft moves backwardly, as indicated by thearrow, Figs. 2 and 3, the pawl will impart to the ratchet wheel 37 astep-by-stepi rotary movement, and as the lay rocker shaft turnsfrontwardly the pawl will click over the tooth of the ratchet wheel inits idle stroke. To prevent backward movement of the ratchet wheelduring the idle stroke of the pawl, a check pawl 53 may be employed, asindicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The pawl 50 is provided with a slot 54; through which passes a pin whichis secured to the rear face member of the bracket 38 and has an enlargedhead 56 which acts to guide the pawl in its 1novements. Any usual formof guide may be employed for this purpose within the true scope of theinvention.

The ratchet Wheel 37 has one or more trip lugs 57 connected thereto. Inthe pres* ent instance, two of such trip lugs are indicated, butobviously the number of these may be varied, and such trip lugs may beremovably secured to the ratchet wheel by passing' the stem of the triplug through one of the holes 58 formed in the face of the ratchet wheel.

Pivotally supported at 59 on the bracket 3S is an arm 60' which has adownwardly extendingtoe 6l adapted to be engaged by a trip lug 57 as theratchet wheel is turned at its upper part towards the rear of the loom.The arm 60 carries a projection 62 on the upper surface of which reststhe end portion of a flexible wire 63 which extends downwardly throughan opening in the bearing 64C secured to the loom frame. If desired, thewire 63 may be mounted for lengthwise movement in a collar 65 which maybe secured to the lug' 64: by a screw 66 or other means.A

The wire 63 extends upwardly and its upper end portion extends through alug; 67 formed in the bracket 30 and underlies projection 68 formed onthe feeler holding lever 32. Between the lugs or brackets 6ft and 67 thewire 63 is encased or sheathed by a flexible covering 69, theconstruction being' such that should the lower end of the wire 63 bemoved by the projection 62 on the lever 60, the upper end of the wirewill be correspondingly moved to lift the feeler holding means or lever32 to release the feeler.

In order to limit the movement of the arm 60, the latter may be providedwith a stop 70 constituting a projection from the the interengaging;lugs 57 and 6l on the' ratchet wheel 38 and arm 60` respectively arepreferably such that more than a single toothed movement of the ratchetwheel .is necessary to cause such lugs to pass into and out ofengagement, the effect beine' that.l

the feeler will first be released and will re main released from thefeeler holding' means for more than one beat-up movement of the lay andpreferably for two or even three beats.

From the construction described it will be apparent that the feeler willbe held in its frontward inoperative position and out of cooperativerelation with the illing in the shuttle for periods of inactivity andthat it will be released from the feeler holdingmeans at intervals toits periods of activity, and that such release of the feeler' to theperformance ot its feeling function takes place wl'ien the lay is not ina position to interfere with the movement of the feeler to its fullfeeliinev position. in other words, the release f the feeler to itsperiods of activity takes place when the lay and lay rocker yshaft aremoving" towards the rear of the loom so that the feeler may assume itsrearward feeling` position without engagingV the filling and will be infull feeling position to detect the condition. of the filling" on theneXt detecting; beat.

What is claimed is:

l. In a feeler mechanism for looms the combination of a feeler, a catchfor holding' the feeler in a frontward, inoperative posi tion during'its periods of inactivityv` a trip for said catch to free the feeler atintervals, the lay rocker shaft at the lower part of the loom, an armsecured to the lay rocker shaft for rocking movement therewith at thelower part of the loom, and means actuated by the arm as the rockershaft turns backM wardly for freeing,v the feeler from the catch atintervals.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms in which the feeler has periods ofactivity and inactivity during; weaving with. the same supply of iillingin the shuttle. the combina tion of a feeler. means for holding thefeeler in a frontward inoperative position during its periods ofinactivity, the lay rocker shaft mounted for rocking movement at thelower part of the loom, an arm secured to the lay rocker shaft, aratchet wheel mounted adjacent to the lay rocker shaftand having Va triplug, and means between the arm and ratchet wheel for actuating thelatter to free the feeler from its holding` means at intervals.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms in which the feeler has periods ofactivity and inactivity during weaving with the same supply of fillingin the shuttle, the combination of a eeler, means for holding the feelerin a frontward inoperat-ii'fe position during its periods of inactivity,the lay rocker-shait mounted for rockingN movement at the lower part ofthe loom, an arm secured'to the lay rocker-shaft, a ratchet wheelmounted adjacent to the lay rocker shaft and having a trip lug,- and apawl connected to the arm for actuating the ratchet to free the feelerat intervals.

il. In a eeler mechanism for looms in which the feeler has periods oi'activity and inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling`in the shuttle, the combination of a feeler, means for holding the eelerin a frontward inoperative position during its periods of inactivity,the lay rocker-shaft mounted for rocking movement at the lower part ofthe loom, an arm secured to the lay rocker-shaft, ratchet Avvheelmounted adjacent to the lay rockershaft and having a trip lug, a bracketsecured to the loom frame tor supporting the ratchet wheel for operationfrom the lay rocker-shaft, a paWl connected to the arm for stepping theratchet wheel along as the rocker-shaft swings the arm rearwardly tofree the feeler from its holding means at intervals.

5. In afeeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, a catchfor holding)r the eeler in a frontward inoperative position during itsperiods oi inactivity, a trip lor said catch to free the ieeler atintervals, the lay rocker-shaft at the lmver part of the loom, an armsecured to the lay rocher sha il for rocking movement therewith at thelower part of the loom, a trip arm, a flexible sheathed wire between thetrip arm and trip for Yfreeing the 'feeler at intervals upon movement ofthe wire in its sheath, and means actuated by the backward movement ofthe arm on the rocker shaft for actuatingr the trip arm.

6. In a loom, the combination oi the lay r cl/:er-shat7 a pawl connectedthereto, a ratchet wheel actuated by the pawl as the lay moves back, alugl carried by the ratchet wheel, a feeler, a catch for holding theteeler in frontward inope 1attive position during,r periods ofinactivity, and means between the catch and ratchet wheel for freeingthe feeler from the catch as the ratchet wheel is actuated by the pawlon backward movement of the lay that the feeler may be freed atintervals to periods of activity.

i'. In a eeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler, a catch'for holdingr the eeler in frontward inoperative position during'periods of inactivity, the lay and lay rocker-shaft, a ratchet wheel, apawl actuated from the lay rocker-shaft on back Yard movement to turnthe ratchet wheel, and means between the ratchet wheel and catchincluding` a flexible sheathed wire for trip* ping` the catch andfreeing the i'eeler to pci riods of activity as the lay goes back.

In testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specilication.

EDW'ARD S. STIMPSON.

